Arhiva priopćenja

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is pleased to announce the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO 2007 Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe.

Sponsored by Dr. Erhard Busek, special coordinator for the Stability Pact, the 2,000 Euro award will be given to a journalist, editor, media executive or person educating journalists in South Eastern Europe, who promotes a climate of better understanding among people in the region and who works towards ending minority problems, ethnic divisions, racism, xenophobia, etc.

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In 2002, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) and its international jury chose Croatian journalist, Denis Latin, as its recipient of the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO 2002 Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in journalism, which contributed toward better understanding in South Eastern Europe. In 2003, the award was presented to Kemal Kurspahic, former editor-in-chief of the Sarajevo daily Oslobodjenje. The 2005 Award was given to Brankica Petkovic, Head of the Center for Media Policy at the Peace Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and editor-in-chief of the book versions of Media Watch and Media Watch Journal. She is also the author of a number of articles on media representations of minorities, with a special focus on the Roma minority in Slovenia. In 2006, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) and its international jury chose the Croatian journalist, Danko Plevnik, international relations columnist for

the Croatian daily Slobodna Dalmacija from Split, as the recipient of the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO 2006 Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe, in recognition for outstanding efforts in journalism which contributed toward better understanding in South Eastern Europe.

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If you know of anyone who would be a worthy recipient of the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe, please send a letter to SEEMO with basic details about the person (along with a professional CV, describing why she / he should receive the award), as well as the contacts of the person (media organisation, address, phone, fax, email). In case you would like to nominate a media outlet or an organisation / institution, please always provide details of its representative, because this award can be presented only to individuals.

If your nomination is supported by an organisation / media outlet, please send us the name of the contact person supporting your nomination, as well as basic information about the organisation / media outlet. If your nomination is supported by another individual or individuals, please send us their details and contact information. We would also need your own details and contact information (address, phone, fax, email, mobile phone). Please note that members of the jury cannot be nominated for the award.

Any additional material about the nominated person (such as TV reports on video or DVD, audio reports on cassette or CD, or articles in newspapers), if possible with a short English translation, are welcomed. Unfortunately, supporting material cannot be returned, so please always send copies of the original material.

The deadline for applications for the 2007 Dr. Erhard Busek – SEEMO Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe is: 1 June 2007. The Award will be presented on 19 October 2007 in Vienna/Austria.

The Robert Bosch Stiftung and ERSTE Foundation announced on 19 March 2007 the launch of a new fellowship programme for young journalists in the Balkans. To be run in cooperation with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN, the initiative will each year give ten reporters the chance to research in-depth articles for a special publication.

As the Balkan news media increasingly need to cover complex reform issues with regional and Europe-wide dimensions, this programme aims to foster quality reporting, regional networking among journalists and balanced coverage on topics that are central to the region as well as to the European Union.

Journalists under the age of 35 from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania or Serbia, are encouraged to submit research proposals on this year’s theme – MOBILITY.

The proliferation of borders and barriers to movement of people, goods, capital, services, information and ideas, both among Balkan countries and vis-&#224;-vis the EU, stifles development, creates frustration, slows regional reconciliation and cooperation, and isolates the region from Europe and its values. This calls for original and important journalistic research into the impact of such obstacles on political, economic or social issues.

Ten fellows will be chosen on the basis of research proposals, which should include plans for cross-border research within the Balkan region and European Union member states, drawing on examples of cooperation or lack thereof, making comparisons and highlighting know-how.

They will participate in the fellowship programme, which features an introductory seminar in Vienna, supervision and mentoring from local editors, individual research trips to another country of the region and the EU, and a concluding seminar and award ceremony in Berlin.

Successful applicants will receive a fellowship of 2000 Euros and a travel allowance of up to 2000 Euros, while the programme’s selection committee, composed of local and European journalists and experts, will award one fellow with an individually-tailored opportunity for further professional development, to the value of 8000 euros.

Fellowship reports will be published at the end of the year, and disseminated widely in all local languages, English and German.

Application Applications must be received no later than 27 April 2007. Application forms and guidelines are available at fellowship.birn.eu.com.

Robert Bosch Stiftung Established in 1964, the Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH is one of the major German foundations associated with a private company. It represents the philanthropic and social endeavours of founder Robert Bosch (1861–1942) and fulfils his legacy in a contemporary manner. The Robert Bosch Stiftung works predominantly in the fields of International Relations, Health and Education.www.bosch-stiftung.de

ERSTE FoundationERSTE Foundation is the direct successor to the savings association bank "Erste Oesterreichische Spar-Casse", founded in Vienna in 1819. Drawing from the tradition of savings banks founded as enterprises for the common good, ERSTE Foundation began its activities in 2005. As the main shareholder of Erste Bank, ERSTE Foundation is one of the largest foundations in Europe. It is active in the entire Central and South Eastern European region, focusing its work on three programmes - Social Responsibility, Culture and Europe.www.erstestiftung.org

Balkan Investigative Reporting Network BIRN is a network of non-governmental organisations working with Balkan journalists to produce stimulating reporting on European-oriented reform. Its member organisations throughout the region run a range of training and public debate projects to enhance the capacity and impact of analytical and investigative journalism. Together, they produce Balkan Insight, the leading publication covering the region’s path to Europe. www.birn.eu.com

The Robert Bosch Stiftung and ERSTE Foundation announce the launch of a new fellowship programme for young journalists in the Balkans, to be run in cooperation with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN.

Journalists under the age of 35 from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania or Serbia, are encouraged to submit research proposals on 2007’s theme - MOBILITY.

Ten journalists will be selected to receive funding and professional support to conduct research at home and abroad over a period of seven months, culminating in publication of their reports at the end of the year.

This programme aims to foster quality reporting, regional networking among journalists and balanced coverage on topics that are central to the region as well as to the European Union.

Successful applicants will receive a fellowship of 2000 Euros and a travel allowance of up to 2000 Euros.

A selection committee comprised of prominent journalists and topical experts will award one fellow with an individually-tailored opportunity for further professional development, to the value of 8000 euros.

To ApplyApplications must be received no later than 27 April 2007. Application forms and guidelines are available at fellowship.birn.eu.com.&nbsp;

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the regional organisation of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), met in Zagreb, Croatia, for its general meeting on 23-25 March 2007.

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Delegates discussed the future of journalism, quality issues and the need for social dialogue with employers, adopted a working program for the next three years and elected a new steering committee.

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The meeting included a special session to discuss the media industry in Croatia. While there has been an improvement, in general, in press freedom in Croatia, delegates from 28 European countries said they were concerned about several violations of social, professional and ethical rights of journalists and media companies.

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The EFJ strongly supports the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists (TUCJ) in its efforts to negotiate a national collective agreement to be signed by the end of this year. In particular, the EFJ supports TUCJ's efforts to protect core labor standards and professional rights of journalists in local and regional media as well as permanent freelance collaborators (economically dependent workers) by this agreement.&nbsp; The EFJ urges foreign media owners to give employees in Croatia the same rights and benefits as employees in the media company’s home country.

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The EFJ further supports the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) and the TUCJ’s demands for:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; local and regional media to be free from political pressure from local authorities;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; complete financial transparency on state companies’ expenditures for advertisements in local and regional media;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the Croatian government to save the Vjesnik daily newspaper;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; clarity regarding the national news agency Hina, as the European Union’s institutions pointed out the political interference taking place within the agency and which affects the accession negotiations between Croatia and the EU.

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Newly re-elected EFJ chair Arne König said: “We strongly support the initiative of both of our affiliates, the TUCJ and CJA, as well as the Association of Media employers (UNI) and other civil society associations to establish a Press Council by the end of this year. This is an extremely important instrument for self-regulation in the media industry and common practice in most European countries.”

The enclosed accounts show the situation for 2006 and also provide an indicative forecast for revenue and expenditure from 2007-2009.

The European Federation of Journalists accounts are formally audited and presented to the Belgian fiscal authorities in March at the same time as the auditing of the IFJ accounts. These figures are not final, but do provide a generally accurate record of the current situation.

The overall assessment of the Treasurer is that by the end of 2009, the European Federation of Journalists will find itself in difficulties. The accounts show that the total costs of staff costs and administration (143.180 Euro in 2006) was slightly more than affiliations fees received (142.840 Euro in 2006). Revenue was sustained by additional income from project activities, the IFJ contribution and union sources (72.360 Euro in 2006).

This additional revenue stream will diminish slightly in the coming three years, while costs will rise, if only to cover inflationary trends.

While the situation remains under control, the longer term perspective for development of European Federation of Journalists resources, particularly for the activities and Working Programme will depend upon

a)efficiency in collecting fees due and a reduction of the exonerations and bad debts;

b)increasing income from donor resources, including diversifying such sources of income beyond reliance upon the institutions of the European Union;

c)developing a clearer and more appropriate balance in the use of resources with the IFJ.

The following outline reflects the activities of the EFJ Steering Committee, the expert groups and the EFJ secretariat during the last General Meeting period, however with a main focus on the last year. At each Annual Meeting a yearly activity report has been presented to the delegates.

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The Steering Committee faced a large work-load with many challenges on both social and professional issues. There has been an increased dialogue with Commission officials on quality and press freedom related issues; the Cartoons Crisis in 2006 had a great impact on journalism and intercultural dialogue, protection of sources have been under attack in many European countries. The revision of the Television without Directive has been a priority for the Steering Committee and its Broadcasting Expert Group. But above all, journalists and their unions have faced an unprecedented attack on long established social and trade union rights. Authors’ rights and freelance rights have been at the centre of this debate. In particular young people and newcomers to the profession have become victims. The EFJ has adopted a freelance charter with a set of minimum rights to be acknowledged by the industry.

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At the same time the European Union agenda puts an emphasis on a “flexible” workforce.&nbsp; This view was reinforced in the autumn of 2006 with the release of a European Commission Green Paper on labour law, a document that embraces the “flexible labour” philosophy in full and reveals how the European Union has become detached from its original attachment to decent work based upon sound and secure employment rights. Now there is apparent acceptance of fragmentation of the labour force, of shifting responsibility for social and welfare provision from the employer to the employee, and encouragement for the emergence of an out-sourced job market.&nbsp; The Steering Committee at its Helsinki meeting in October had a major debate with the Finnish Presidency on the issue.

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The Green Paper, which reveals how power in the workplace is now heavily tilted in favour of employers, reads like a funeral oration for the European social model, but it does open the door to a public debate about employment policy. The Steering Committee has considered this debate as a major priority for the up-coming period.

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The EFJ carried out several seminars on trade union issues, all of which had support from the European Commission. (Tallinn, Bratislava, Lisbon, Cyprus, Vilnius; see below) and were very useful occasions for policy discussions, creation of networks and practical exchange of good practice.

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Secretariat

There have been some changes in the EFJ Secretariat. After her maternity leave in 2005, Renate Schroeder has slightly further reduced her working hours from 80% to 75% and started to share the position of European Director with Marc Gruber now working 75% for the EFJ as well. Pamela Moriniere has been working for the EFJ on Authors’ Rights and gender issues and is replaced by Céline Simonin, EFJ Authors’ Rights Assistant, while for a year on training leave in Australia. Bernard Vanmuysewinkel, Administrative Officer, continues to work 50% for the EFJ. Aidan White is General Secretary of the IFJ and EFJ. The EFJ office is part of the IFJ Headquarters in Brussels.

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The EFJ mourned its former EFJ Chair Gustl Glattfelder who passed away in May 2005. His family relayed Gustl’s express wishes, in keeping with his commitment to solidarity and internationalism, to donate any practical expressions of sympathy to the IFJ International Safety Fund.

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Labour Rights

A major event in 2006 was the conference ‘Strengthening Journalists’ Unions and Social Dialogue. Let’s Organise’ organised in Vilnius on December 1-2, 2006.

Best practice in national recruitment campaigns and in negotiation strategies, gender and freelance mainstreaming as well as the European Commission Green Paper on Labour Law were the main themes discussed

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At the outset an EFJ survey on recruitment and bargaining based on 22 responses by EFJ member unions was presented to give an overview about union membership criteria, membership profiles, recruitment campaigns and collective agreements. A debate followed on the question whether journalists working as spokespersons and in public relations are eligible for union membership. National member unions have different approaches on this issue. Further, the use of local agreements as a supplement to national agreements was discussed, and the need to find new strategies, when negotiations are blocked. Examples from the UK and from Finland regarding recruitment gave new impetus and ideas regarding organising membership to young journalists, freelances and other related categories.

A so-called Vilnius package is being prepared summarizing the main results and giving practical guidelines to unions on all these issues.

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European Works Councils: The EFJ has organised a seminar on European Works Councils in the Media to take place in Sofia on 20-21 April. The seminar, which is supported by the EU and had been prepared by the EFJ secretariat in cooperation with members of the Labour Rights Expert Groups, a representative from UNI Graphical and national experts on EWCs will be an occasion to do an up-date and an evaluation on existing EWC and an EFJ strategy how to proceed in this difficult but important area (See chair’s Labour Right Expert Group report).

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Collective Bargaining: Collective bargaining was under attack in the past years, even in countries with a long established tradition of collective agreements such as Italy. The EFJ, through its Labour Rights Expert Group, organised meetings and press conferences on specific cases such as Switzerland in 2005 and Italy in 2006. A meeting in coordination of unions’ activities for the defence of existing collective agreements took place in Berlin in November 2005 at the occasion of the meeting of the EFJ Steering Committee (See also chair’s Labour Rights Expert Group report).

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Social Dialogue: In the audiovisual sector, employers’ organisations including the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Commercial Television Association (ACT), Independent Producers’ Association agreed with the unions representing the Audiovisual sector, UNI-MEI, EFJ, International Musicians’ Federation (FIM) and the International Actors Federation (FIA) to officially start social dialogue at European level. The Social Partners agreed at informal level to discuss health and safety; equal opportunities, enlargement issues and training.

The EFJ welcomed a joint declaration adopted at a conference in Warsaw on 5-7 May 2005 by both sides of the audiovisual industry in Europe, which reaffirms that social dialogue “is important in all matters related to workforce” and that both parties are “committed to growth ensuring vitality and quality of the sector”. It also reminds the freedom of association and negotiation as ratified under ILO Conventions and it calls on EU countries to support social dialogue.

Within the framework of the Social Dialogue an informal meeting of the Social Partners on the Green Paper on Labour Law took place with a frank discussion whether to extend workers’ rights to freelances and/or to economically dependent workers.

The Freelance Expert Group drafted a freelance charter, which was adopted at the last Annual Meeting in 2006. This charter provides a tool for lobbying at national and European level. It has been designed and printed in form of a postcard to be launched at this year’s General Meeting and at the IFJ Congress.

The FREG in cooperation with labour law officers had a meeting focusing on the EFJ response to the EC Green Paper on Labour Law, in which it proposed a ‘floor of rights’ for all workers independent of their form of contract. It has contributed to the EFJ submission to the Green Paper.

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The FREG drafted a freelance strategy including best practice regarding organising freelances within journalists unions and special services for them for member unions, which was circulated to member unions in November 2006.

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The FREG also created some stronger links with freelance representatives from the Balkan region. It participated in a seminar in Belgrade and invited the Freelance coordinator of the Balkan region. The discussion also covered new rules by Croatian media employers, including those owned by the German WAZ and the Austrian Styria Media Group, where staff journalists are moved to temporary agencies in order to circumvent the established collective agreements. Unfortunately journalists sign the contracts out of fear that they will be dismissed if they refuse.

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The FREG noted the IFJ report on the “Changing Nature of Work: A Global Survey” drafted by the media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the IFJ Australian member union, as a useful reference and lobbying material.

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The Vilnius seminar was prepared in coordination with members of the FREG and the chair Heikki Jokinen outlined examples of how to organise freelances in new media or such areas outside of classical journalism. The debate at the meeting focused very much on the need to better connect between staff and freelances, share more information including salaries and remuneration, and organise common solidarity events. (See chairs’ report of the Freelance Expert Group).

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Authors’ Rights

The EFJ with the support of the Authors’ Rights Expert Group and the Authors’ Rights Officer has closely followed European policy regarding authors’ rights. Both the phasing out of levies and the introduction of the work-for-hire rule have been avoided. During recent meetings with EC officials the EFJ was able to explain its views on journalists’ authors’ rights and AREG has been invited to come forward with suggestions and to be part of a sustained dialogue with other stakeholders. The EFJ also closely followed national legislations (providing support to national unions when required) and negotiations at WIPO. A key instrument for these various lobbying actions is the pamphlet ‘Authors Rights – Copyright in a Democratic Society’, which has been made available in four languages so far.

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Cooperation has been enhanced between the EFJ and IFRRO (the chair of AREG, Anne Louise Schelin, was re-elected to the IFRRO board for representing Creators’ Associate Members), as well as with other Creators organizations (the Brussels Resolution, a joint statement on the European agenda, was adopted in September 2006; the EFJ joined the Culture First! Coalition, which successfully lobbied against the phasing out of levies).

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In 2006 the EFJ with the support of the AREG supported a German media boycott of Robbie Williams’ concerts after the singer banned some photographers from his shows and issued restrictions denying other photographers rights over their work. (See report by the chair of the AREG).

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Media Policy and Democracy

Protection of Sources

In this General Meeting period there have been major setbacks on freedom of information and protection of sources. During 2006 the European Federation of Journalists complained to the European Commission and the European Parliament about several illegal tappings of journalists’ phones in the Netherlands and elsewhere, about the placing of spies in the newsrooms of German media and about the prosecution of journalists in Denmark and in the Netherlands because they wrote stories that were in the public interest, but that embarrassed the governments.

The EFJ sent a letter to the European Union demanding an investigation to find out if there is systematic spying on journalists by security officials across the European Union. In a response to this letter Commissioner Franco Frattini, Vice President of the European Commission and responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, promised that these cases would be investigated by his services.

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The EFJ also pressed for action on the case of Hans Martin Tillack, the German journalist who was subject to a police raid in Belgium more than two years ago and had boxes of materials including notebooks and files taken away by police. The case in front of the European Court of First Instance in Luxembourg was lost.

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Following an EFJ resolution in 2006 on EU Data Retention, which could harm free press, the EFJ warned Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini that the EU's new data retention directive risks helping governments’ snoop on reporters’ contacts in the name of combating terror. The directive, passed in February 2006 with implementation tabled for late 2007, obliges EU governments to store information, who emailed who and who browsed which website for at least six months, on who called who.

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Commissioner Frattini promised that access to the new data retention tools will be strictly limited to officials such as public prosecutors. EFJ member unions were asked to contact their governments and to lobby for the defence of journalists in the implementation process at national level. This can be made either by making sure that the EU directive will be compatible with existing legislation on protection of sources, or in absence of specific legislation, by asking for exemptions for journalists to the access to electronic data in the name of press and media freedom.

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In September 2006 the Intergroup for Press, Communication and Freedom of the European Parliament organised a meeting about protection of sources in Europe and some members committed to propose an EP resolution on this issue. Three EFJ representatives participated at this event (Benno Pöppelmann, DJV; Martine Simonis, AGJPB and Aidan White, EFJ/IFJ). A draft text has been submitted to the Head of the Intergroup and the formal proposal should be put forward during this year.

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At the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2006, the Belgian association, the AGJPB/AJP, the EFJ and the University of Gent organised a day of study on protection of sources in Brussels. It was also the first anniversary of the implementation of the new Belgian law on protection of sources. Speakers were coming from various backgrounds such as lawyers, judges, police, academics and journalists. http://www.agjpb.be/ajp/

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Alter –EU and Media Coalition: Reaching Out to Civil Society

On January 2006, the European Commission published a Green Paper on proposals for a European Transparency Initiative which is supposed to tackle the current lack of transparency and unaccountable power of lobbyists in Brussels. The EFJ drafted a submission to the consultation on the ETI Green Paper stressing the need for more transparency and regulations regarding reporting on lobbying, distribution of EU funds including the creation of a new independent watchdog agency to manage registration, reporting and sanctioning of lobbyists.

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As part of a broader lobbying and advocacy strategy, the EFJ has been involved in the Alter-EU campaign (www.alter-eu.org/) for lobbying transparency and ethics in EU decision making. Following the setting-up of disclosure systems for the common agriculture policy funds across Europe, Alter-EU campaigns for disclosure of the pressure groups activities in Brussels.

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The EFJ is also the leading organisation of the recently created Coalition for Media Freedomand Integrity. This coalition was initiated in mid 2006 in collaboration with civil society groups involved in media policies, such as Article 19, the Media Advocacy Programme of the Open Society Institute, the Human Rights Group of NGOs at the Council of Europe, More Colour in the Media and the European Women’s Lobby. The coalition agreed on a founding Declaration on Media and Democracyin Europe, which is the basis for a broader support for campaigning and advocacy work in Europe. The media coalition is aimed at becoming a joint platform for civil society on media policy and European media “watchdog”.

The Declaration on Media and Democracy is available on the EFJ website:

The EFJ Broadcasting Expert Group (BREG) was created in 2005. Most of the members were already involved in the Public Broadcasting for All Campaign of the IFJ. However, BREG dealt not just with public broadcasting institutions but with public service values and quality in general.

The activities have concentrated on lobbying, both at European level (revision of the “television without frontiers” directive, follow-up of social dialogue in the audiovisual sector, meetings with EU Officials) and at national level (BBC White Book and Charter, reforming of RAI, legal and professional developments in other countries such as Slovenia and Spain).

(See report of the chair of the BREG).

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Relations with the European Institutions

European Parliament: The EFJ is in close contact with the Intergroup for Press, Communication and Freedom of the European Parliament. This Intergroup was founded in 2005 under the initiative of French MEP Jean-Marie Cavada and it currently gathers around 40 MEPs with media professional background. The group normally gathers every other month during the Plenary Session in Strasbourg. It debated on the review of the TWF Directive and the role of the various players of the media industry for the defence of pluralism and quality in the media.

The EFJ met with MEPs in charge of media policies, in particular with Ms. Hieronymi, the main rapporteur for the “TWF” Directive. Meetings and participation to public hearings also took place for the defence of authors’ rights and in the context of the report on the “Rome II” Treaty dealing with non-contractual obligations, which puts at risk journalists’ rights to defend themselves against accusations of defamation.

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European Commission: The EFJ kept contact with DG Media and Information Society and in particular with the Media Task Force, DG Internal Market regarding authors’ rights, DG Security, Freedom and Justice on media freedom issues, especially following the cartoons crisis as well as the frequent attacks on journalist’ sources. Several meetings were also held with Commissioner Wallström, responsible for the communication policy. The EFJ in cooperation with the Freelance Expert Group had meetings with senior officials preparing the Green paper on labour law. The AREG had a meeting with the Head of the Copyright division of the Internal Market DG in November 2006.

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Council of Europe: Since the recognition of the EFJ as an observer to Council of Europe Steering Committee on Mass Media (CDMM), the former chair Gustl Glattfelder used to participate on behalf of the EFJ in the meetings of the CDMM, its groups of specialists as well as at the European Audiovisual Observatory. This role is now primarily fulfilled by EFJ Vice-Chair Philippe Leruth and Steering Committee member Michael Klehm. The latest activities include a “Draft Declaration on the potential risks of media concentration to democracy” to be transmitted it to the assembly for approval and joint activities with the European Commission against racism and Intolerance (ECRI) to defend self-regulation in the context of the battle against racism and intolerance.

PREAMBLE

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The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is a regional organisation of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). It is created within the framework of&nbsp; the IFJ Constitution and represents the interests of journalists' unions and their members within the industrial and political framework of Europe, particularly the European Union and the Council of Europe.

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The European Federation of Journalists shall work in all parts of Europe to enforce trade unionist and professional matters and to protect and defend freedom of expression and information as well as journalists' human rights, as laid down in the European Convention of Human Rights, Article 10 (1).

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The European Federation of Journalists is an autonomous body according to the Rules of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). As a member of the ETUC the European Federation of Journalists is officially accredited by the European Union.

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1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

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1.1&nbsp;&nbsp; The European Federation of Journalists will co-ordinate the activities of IFJ-affiliated unions in Europe. It will develop and promote common interests in the fields of social, economic, cultural and media policy, and fight for the aims and objectives being defined in the IFJ Constitution within the European Union and other European institutions.

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1.2&nbsp;&nbsp; The European Federation of Journalists shall work closely with the ETUC and other trade unions representing groups of workers in the mass media and will co-operate in working out general principles and guidelines for common trade union policy in the field of mass media and information.

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1.3&nbsp;&nbsp; The European Federation of Journalists shall also seek broad trade union support for professional and industrial policy regarding the development of mass media with the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

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1.4&nbsp;&nbsp; The European Federation of Journalists shall promote understanding and solidarity among European unions affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists.

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2. COMPOSITION

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IFJ members in Europe&nbsp; are entitled to be members of the European Federation of Journalists.

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3. TASKS

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3.1&nbsp;&nbsp; The European Federation of Journalists under its own responsibility shall elaborate a working programme in line with IFJ policies and principles. According to the working programme adopted by the General Meeting (GM), the Steering Committee shall determine priorities of work in representing and working for journalists' and journalists unions' interests in Europe.

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3.2&nbsp;&nbsp; The European Federation of Journalists reports to the IFJ Executive Committee.

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4. GENERAL MEETING

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4.1&nbsp; The General Meeting (GM) shall normally

meet every third year in advance of the IFJ

Congress. It shall be composed of one delegate from each member union and the members of the Steering Committee. The IFJ President and IFJ Executive Committee members elected from Europe shall have the right to participate without the right to vote. Each member union has the right to send observers. Observers from ETUC and other organisations may be invited.

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The Steering Committee may convene an extraordinary GM at any time if three fourths of the members vote in favour. The Steering Committee shall convene an extraordinary GM if half of the member unions make such a demand in writing.

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The voting system at the GM shall be the same as the voting system at the IFJ Congress. A transfer of votes after registration to the GM is not possible. Member unions who have not paid their membership fee according to provisions shall not have the right to vote or to submit candidates for the Steering Committee.

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4.2&nbsp;&nbsp; The working languages of the GM shall be English, French and German.

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4.3&nbsp;&nbsp; The Steering Committee will prepare the agenda of the GM and decide on voting rights. The invitation and draft agenda has to be sent to member unions at least two months before the GM.

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4.4&nbsp;&nbsp; The GM has its own working rules. A report on decisions of the GM will be prepared immediately and sent to member unions. The minutes will be confirmed by the Steering Committee. They shall be kept on record in the secretariat.

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4.5 The GM shall:

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a. elect

- a Presidium&nbsp; to chair the GM;

- a motions’ commission to consider the

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;motions and urgent motions;

-an electoral commission.

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Members shall not be members of the Steering Committee nor candidates for the next Steering Committee.

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b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; confirm the agenda, changes of the working rules proposed by the Steering Committee and the voting rights of the unions;

c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; approve the minutes of the last GM resp. of the last AM;

d.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; decide on membership of unions failing&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; to meet the EFJ financial obligations;

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e.&nbsp;&nbsp; approve the report of the Steering Committee, which will be presented by the chair;

f.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; consider the reports of the Expert Groups;

g.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; approve a report of audited accounts and finances presented by the honorary treasurer and consider the report of the Finance Commission;

h.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; consider a report on the activities of the IFJ Project Division;

i.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; adopt a budget plan for the following years;

j.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; decide on motions for activities of the European Federation of Journalists. Member unions with voting rights and the Steering Committee have the right to submit motions. Motions from member unions must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least one month before the GM and shall be sent to member unions at least two weeks before the GM.

k.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; decide on motions for changes of the rules of the European Federation of Journalists. These motions must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least two months before the GM and shall be sent to member unions at least one month before the GM. New rules shall be in effect at the next GM.

l.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; decide on the admission of urgent motions. Urgent motions can be presented until the opening of the meeting.

m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; adopt the working programme of the EFJ and decide on the establishment of expert groups;

n.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; decide on membership fees for the EFJ;

s.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; elect the members of the Finance Commission.

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4.6 Member unions which would like to host a General or Annual Meeting must submit their invitation including information on transport, facilities, costs, conditions and sponsors 15 months in advance of the meeting to the Steering Committee.

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5. ANNUAL MEETING

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Between the General Meetings, there shall be an Annual Meeting (AM), which shall focus on a subject in line with the priorities of work of the EFJ.

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The AM is prepared by the Steering Committee in cooperation with the European Officer. The invitation and draft agenda has to be sent to member unions at least two months before the AM.

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The AM can decide on motions on actual matters and developments which concern journalists' and journalists unions' interests in Europe. Member unions with voting rights and the Steering Committee have the right to submit motions. Motions from member unions must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least one month before the AM and shall be sent to member unions at least two weeks before the AM. The voting system shall be the same as the voting system at the EFJ General Meeting.

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The AM considers the report of the Finance Commission.

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6. THE STEERING COMMITTEE

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6.1 &nbsp; The Steering Committee is the working body which shall be responsible for the co-ordination and supervision of the European Federation’s activities. It shall propose a working programme to the GM and shall be responsible for the execution of the GM and AMdecisions. The coordination includes the work of the IFJ Project Division, as far as Europe is concerned.

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6.2 &nbsp; The Steering Committee has nine members and a mandate of three years. They shall be elected by the GM. They can be reelected to the Steering Committee for a maximum of two additional periods. Vacancies in membership of the Steering Committee will be filled by the reserves in the order of votes received at the last GM. If a member of the Steering Committee fails to attend half of the meetings within a year without good reasons, he/she will also be replaced by a reserve.

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6.3&nbsp;&nbsp; The member unions have the right to propose delegates for the list of candidates. No union may have more than one national representative in the Steering Committee. The list of candidates will be closed one month before the GM and circulated among member unions three weeks before the GM. It can be reopened again at the opening of the GM by majority vote on request of member unions. All candidates must have a written mandate from their home union which commits to pay the expenses connected to the function.

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6.4 &nbsp; The members of the Steering Committee and the reserves shall be elected by secret ballot. These elections will be chaired by an electoral commission set up at the GM; it will consist of three voting delegates, who are not members of the steering committee or candidates for election.

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6.5 The Steering Committee elects a vice-chair and a honorary treasurer from its members.

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6.6 The General Secretary of the IFJ shall act as&nbsp;&nbsp; General Secretary of the EFJ.

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6.7&nbsp;&nbsp; The IFJ President and IFJ Executive Committee elected from Europe shall have the right to participate in the meetings of the Steering Committee without the right to vote.

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6.8&nbsp;&nbsp; The working language of the Steering Committee shall be English.

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7. FINANCE COMMISSION

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7.1 The objective of the Finance Commission is to review the EFJ accounts. The Finance Commission must report to the General&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Meetings and give status reports to the Annual Meetings.

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7.2 The Finance Commission consists of three lay auditors. None of them belong to any other elected body of the EFJ.

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8. SECRETARIAT

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8.1&nbsp;&nbsp; The European Federation of Journalists has a European Officer who is member of the IFJ- staff. His/Her task is to execute the work for the European Federation within the framework given by the Steering Committee. He/She is appointed by approval of the Steering Committee and is responsible to the Steering Committee.

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8.2&nbsp;&nbsp; He/She shall participate in the meetings of the Steering Committee, the GM and the AM without voting rights.

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9. EXPERT GROUPS

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EFJ-Expert Groups work by mandate of the Steering Committee and shall report to the Steering Committee and the IFJ Executive Committee.

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9.1&nbsp;&nbsp; EFJ-Expert Groups are working bodies of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee appoints its members and decides on the aims and objectives of the work. The Expert Groups are open to experts from outside Europe.

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9.2&nbsp;&nbsp; Members must be experts proposed by member unions which commit to pay the expenses connected to the function

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9.3&nbsp;&nbsp; The Expert Groups must give a report of their work to the Steering Committee at least two times a year. They also report to the General Meeting. The Expert Groups shall, in cooperation with the European Office, make relevant information available on the IFJ/EFJ-websites. The working language of the expert groups is chosen by the members of the expert groups and is German, English, or French.

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10. FINANCES

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10.1 The financial year of the Federation shall be

from January 1 to December 31.

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10.2The activities of the European Federation of Journalists will be subject to EFJ membership fees, EU-contributions, IFJ-contributions and other sources.

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10.3 Member unions shall pay fees according to the decision of the GM.

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10.4 Activities in line with the EFJ working programme, the GM and the AM can - in coordination with the Steering Committee – be executed and financed by the IFJ Project Division.

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10.5 Unions failing to pay their fees or failing to seek special arrangements with the Steering Committee, have their membership terminated by the GM. They will be accepted back into the European Federation of Journalists on payment of fees owed.

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11. DISSOLUTION

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The European Federation of Journalists may be dissolved upon the vote of two-thirds of the votes cast at an GM being in favour of dissolution. The GM which voted for dissolution shall also determine the allocation of funds still available.

Introduction

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The meeting takes place at a time when trade union influence appears to be in decline. Journalists’ unions remain relatively strong in a hostile environment and the general trade union movement is losing members and political and social power. The political tone in Europe has become anti-union and the European Union agenda reflects this with its emphasis on a “flexible” work force. At national level governments are reluctant to enforce regulations that provide even minimal protection for media workers and journalists. Employers in the media sector have become extremely hostile to decent working standards both for staff and freelances. Newcomers, young journalists and women suffer particular discrimination. In Central and Eastern Europe most journalists work under fraudulent contracts. Many are forced to leave the profession in order to earn a living.

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Given this background, the Steering Committee has discussed how our members can use their strength to change the general atmosphere, to promote professional solidarity and adopt a practical agenda of small but important steps going forward.

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The employment crisis and concerns about the future continue to dominate European media. Though the EFJ will continue to advocate for stronger rules regarding media concentration, there will not be any action at European level. The quality campaign of the EFJ has focused in the last years on authors’ rights, protection of sources, public service values and editorial independence. We have to continue and to be even more vigilant on all of these issues (see proposals below).

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At the same time reaching common positions on policy, which may regulate the journalists’ profession vis-&#224;-vis the European institutions and the Council of Europe, has become an ever larger part of EFJ lobbying work (Rome II-defamation law; media and war against terrorism; Communication policy; media pluralism; Audiovisual Media Services Directive; spectrum policy; authors’ rights positions etc..). The EFJ office and the Steering Committee shall continue to monitor and influence EU legislation concerning media policy and the audiovisual regulatory framework.

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The EFJ should use the existing, though increasingly limited, EU funded projects and continue to concentrate on trade union development, the employment relationship and authors’ rights.

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Labour Rights

Lobbying:&nbsp; The EFJ office with the LAREG and the FREG shall lobby on key changes or proposals on employment law/union rights at European and national level.

Transnational work: The EFJ in cooperation with the LAREG shall concentrate on union organisation through union presence/recruitment/retention/work place organisation and cross-border organisation, including European Works Councils with the follow-up of the Sofia Conference in 2007 and International Framework Agreements.

Collective Bargaining and Best Practice: The EFJ secretariat and the LAREG shall keep monitoring and evaluating collective bargaining at national level and circulate essential information to all unions in Europe.

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With regard to the crisis in the employment relationship and the increase of non permanent work, especially among the young, cooperation shall be found with the FREG and Labour Law Experts on this issue.

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Union Organising: The EFJ office and the Labour Rights Expert Group and the Freelance Expert Group shall organise a follow-up seminar to the “Let’s Organise” seminar in Vilnius, November 2006 dealing with recruitment and bargaining issues.

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Freelances –Non-Permament Workers

Lobbying: The EFJ office and its national member unions in co-operation with the FREG shall continue to co-operate with the ETUC, the European Parliament and the European Commission to lobby for basic regulation on social protection. Following the debate initiated by the Green Paper on Labour Law, the FREG will follow-up the topic of ‘flexi-curity’ and continue to advocate for social rights for all workers independent of their contract.

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The fight against unfair rules and legislations shall be the other main item to promote.&nbsp; The FREG and the EFJ labour rights experts group (LAREG) and other trade union federations shall continue to work on this issue.

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Activities: The EFJ office and the FREG shall organise another Seminar following-up the Conference that took place in Bratislava in 2005.

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The EFJ office and the FREG shall follow-up on the freelance strategy circulated to member unions as well as best practices of successful freelance work.

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The FREG shall intensify contact with freelance groups from Central and Eastern Europe.

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The FREG, together with EFJ affiliates, shall promote and circulate the EFJ Charter of Freelance Rights.

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Co-operation: The EFJ office and the FREG shall continue to co-operate with other unions representing freelances.

The FREG shall closely co-operate with the AREG on defending authors’ rights for freelances and work against unfair contracts such as “total buy out” practices.

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Authors’ Rights

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Lobbying: AREG shall lobby wherever necessary and relevant against statutory transfer of authors’ rights along the lines of the “work for hire” system of the US and the similar UK system. Following up on the pamphlet with more translations and more material, AREG will further raise awareness regarding the negative consequences it will have if continental Europe adopts rules shifting full ownership of rights to the employer.

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AREG and the EFJ office shall lobby the EU institutions to promote the continental authors’ right approach and make sure that the anglosaxon copyright approach does not gain weight within the EU. In this respect, AREG will continue to gather examples of the economic importance of journalists and their media colleagues to retain their authors’ rights and of the importance of moral rights protection. AREG will also follow up on the EU Commission studies on the recasting of copyright and related rights and on the implementation of the InfoSoc directive.

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AREG shall put forward concrete suggestions for the EU Commission to enable it, through a charter, to pave the way for better contractual practices and more transparency and accountability in the cases where publishers and producers have acquired all the rights from journalists and other authors and performers.

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AREG shall comment and follow closely the work of the EU Commission regarding authors’ rights in the online environment (copyright levies, content online, collective management, digital libaries) to make sure that the story is also told from the authors’ point of view and that journalists receive their fair share of remuneration for the use of digital or digitalised content. AREG shall also continue the efforts through the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO) to spread collective management to the online environment.

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AREG shall develop a joint project with WIPO on guidelines on the management of journalists’ authors rights to be used in development work (possible joint venture with IFRRO)

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AREG shall monitor and - if relevant - participate in authors’ rights related activities of the European institutions and WIPO and other relevant bodies.

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Solidarity: AREG shall help member unions to fight for the rights of employed authors and freelances by sharing information on best practice, disseminating lobbying material (pamphlet) and offering the official EFJ support. AREG will notably committ to strengthen its links with Central and Eastern Europe unions.

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Cooperation with EFJ expert groups: AREG shall work closely with FREG and LAREG regarding collective bargaining rights for freelances (of all types) and for the strengthening of the rights of individuals in the contract situation This includes the organisation of joint-seminars.

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Cooperation with other creators: AREG shall strengthen and continue efforts to drive and participate in better co-operation between authors’ and performers’ organizations in Europe and the rest of the world by participating actively in the initiatives taken by other organizations and to continue the EFJ initiatives in “Creators’ Forum“ and in the authors coalition within International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO).

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Raising awareness: AREG and the EFJ office shall continue to inform member unions through the production of brochures, arguments, and training material and the organisation of seminars and other activities to raise member unions’ awareness of the importance of authors’ rights.

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AREG shall continue to service member unions through the ongoing work of building up the website with useful information, including an updated handbook, collections of best practice contracts, collective agreements, cases, information on EU, WIPO, etc.

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Gender&nbsp;

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Strategy: The EFJ and the Gender Council will focus on mainstreaming strategies to be used by EFJ bodies including its expert groups and at EFJ seminars.

Communication: The EFJ and its members will make sure the survey finalised in 2006 is available on member unions’ website and broadly circulated. The Steering Committee shall follow-up the proposals from the survey, such as the support of a woman network &nbsp;and implement them, where possible with similar methods.

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Media Policy / Broadcasting

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Lobbying: The BREG shall develop lobbying activities at EU level on issues dealing with broadcasting in a broad extent: public service values, media pluralism and better regulations against media concentration. Lobbying is carried out by the EFJ at European level and by member unions at national level.

A special focus shall be put on political independence and public service values in Central Europe, where the situation of journalists and their unions is still unsatisfactory.

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Social Dialogue: The SC will support the social dialogue in the audiovisual sector at European level, which was launched in 2004. Together with UNI-MEI and the Actors’ and Musicians Unions (FIA and FIM) the EFJ will discuss with representatives from the private and public broadcasting organisations (ACT and EBU) and independent producers issues relating to gender, safety, training as well as the development in new EU member states. The activities related to the Social Dialogue have the financial support of the European Commission.

In addition to national agreements and the European social dialogue, the BREG shall work on the development of International Framework Agreements in transnational broadcasting companies.

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Support: EFJ member unions shall inform BREG and the EFJ/IFJ secretariat of activities and developments in broadcasting.

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The BREG together with the secretariat shall look into the organisation of a conference focusing on working conditions in broadcasting.

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Protection of Sources and Access to Documents

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Awareness-raising: The EFJ in co-operation with the IFJ shall continue to take every opportunity to lobby governments, the judiciary and the European Parliament and work with employers and their organisations to strengthen the rights and freedom of journalists to investigate, without judicial pressure to reveal their sources and reinforce the Europe-wide efforts involving all its affiliates to strengthen existing, or bring in new legislation in support for journalists protecting confidential sources.

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Support: The EFJ and its member unions shall continue to give support to journalists who are asked to disclose their sources.

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Information: EFJ member unions shall inform the EFJ/IFJ secretariat of relevant protection of sources cases in their countries. Information shall be put on the EFJ/IFJ web-site.

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Future of Journalism

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The Steering Committee shall continue working on standards for quality in journalism on issues such as training, access to the profession, citizens’ contribution to media, etc.